Joel Dryden

Journalist
CBC Calgary
Class of 2014
1. Where did you do your internship while in MRU Journalism?
The Airdrie City View/Rocky View Weekly newspapers
2. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you have liked to give yourself as you started your internship?
Always keep in mind that you're there to learn -- no one is fully formed the second they start an internship. You're there to ask questions, experiment, and develop yourself as you go.
3. What is something that really stands out when you think about your time at MRU Journalism?
I am always grateful that we had the chance to actually work on stories across all platforms from start to finish. It's super valuable to wear a lot of different hats in media today and MRU preps you for that.
4. How transferrable were the skills you acquired in your education?
Very transferrable. The news industry has changed a lot, and you're unlikely to be just a reporter, or just be a videojournalist, when you're starting out. So having that groundwork to be flexible is crucial.
5. In your career, what type of work has most excited you, and why?
My favourite thing is long-form -- spending time diving into a story, gathering photos/videos, and producing a long piece out of that.
6. What is the most important but unwritten rule that you’ve learned on the job?
Delete Twitter on the weekends!
7. Who has most inspired you along the way, and why?
I'm constantly inspired by the work being done in journalism in Alberta and across Canada ... including by many in this newsroom.